02-28-2015, 04:26 AM
Most people aren't aware that Hawaii vehicles can have back taxes. This isn't the mainland where if the previous owner(s) never paid for a registration(s), the new owner gets a "get of jail" free card. Here you will have to pay for the sins of past owners. Always check that before you buy. Also double check the title. I've walked away from private vehicle sales after discovering that their "clear title" was neither.
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Very valid points. Check the VIN in several locations - vehicles are stolen often here and get VIN's swapped onto other vehicles all the time. People list them as "farm vehicles" - actually they are probably stolen and that is why they have been unregistered for years.
Never buy a used vehicle here without first checking with DMV office - you can really get burned on the back taxes. This also means, do not ever rush to buy a vehicle on a weekend. If the seller refuses to let you wait a day or gets nervous about your checking of the VIN/title, RUN AWAY.
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Very valid points. Check the VIN in several locations - vehicles are stolen often here and get VIN's swapped onto other vehicles all the time. People list them as "farm vehicles" - actually they are probably stolen and that is why they have been unregistered for years.
Never buy a used vehicle here without first checking with DMV office - you can really get burned on the back taxes. This also means, do not ever rush to buy a vehicle on a weekend. If the seller refuses to let you wait a day or gets nervous about your checking of the VIN/title, RUN AWAY.